Title
Attack Squadron Sixty-Five Letting Commander Thompson Know About His Promotion
Description
This photograph shows Commander Harry Thompson returning to his seat in his squadron's ready room only to find his seat occupied. The members of Attack Squadron Sixty-Five (VA-65) put this dummy together as a way to inform everyone of Thompson's new promotion. The dummy sports the oversized symbols of a United States Navy commander., including large epaulettes and oak leaves. The sign above the chair also declares that this seat is reserved for commanders and above only.
Collection
Arnold W. McKechnie Collection
Context
Arnold McKechnie was Captain of the USS Yorktown (CVA-10) from August 3, 1953 to August 5, 1954.
Arnold McKechnie began his career in the Navy after graduating from the US Naval Academy in 1927. A man of many interests, McKechnie entered Submarine School in 1930. After earning his dolphins, McKechnie entered flight training in 1934. Upon earning his pilot's wings, McKechnie served aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3) in Scouting Squadron Two.
A seasoned pilot by the time the United States entered World War II, McKechnie served as Executive Officer aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) before being made commander of the Transition Training Squadron Atlantic (TTSA). The TTSA was a training squadron created to aid newly graduated naval aviators in patrol plane operations.
After World War II, McKechnie would in turn become the commanding officer of the USS Bairoko, the USS Badoeng Straight, and the USS Yorktown (CVA-10). After leaving the Yorktown in 1954, Captain McKechnie became the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station (NAS), San Diego.
Arnold McKechnie retired as a Rear Admiral on November 1, 1961, from his role as Chief of Naval Air Reserve Training.
Arnold McKechnie began his career in the Navy after graduating from the US Naval Academy in 1927. A man of many interests, McKechnie entered Submarine School in 1930. After earning his dolphins, McKechnie entered flight training in 1934. Upon earning his pilot's wings, McKechnie served aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3) in Scouting Squadron Two.
A seasoned pilot by the time the United States entered World War II, McKechnie served as Executive Officer aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) before being made commander of the Transition Training Squadron Atlantic (TTSA). The TTSA was a training squadron created to aid newly graduated naval aviators in patrol plane operations.
After World War II, McKechnie would in turn become the commanding officer of the USS Bairoko, the USS Badoeng Straight, and the USS Yorktown (CVA-10). After leaving the Yorktown in 1954, Captain McKechnie became the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station (NAS), San Diego.
Arnold McKechnie retired as a Rear Admiral on November 1, 1961, from his role as Chief of Naval Air Reserve Training.
Accession #
2010.00010
